Lateral thinking

It used to be that partnership in a law firm was for life. With firms continually having to readdress their strategies in a consolidating market, however, that certainty has vanished, and partners are all too willing to make their own strategic moves to match personal career aspirations.

Editor’s letter
I am writing this foreword on ‘Earth Day’ – April 22nd. It is commonly taken to be the day – in 1970 – that the modern ‘environmental awareness’ movement was born.

Feature
Building a 21st Century law firm
In May 2008 Eversheds opens a new purpose-built HQ in London. It is a statement of intent from the firm that it is committed to innovation, international growth and new standards for client focus and employee satisfaction.

Feature
The respect agenda
Pinsent Masons was the first ever law firm to achieve a placing on Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index, published in February 2008.

News
EAPD announces new managing partner
US LAW firm Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge (EAPD) has elected corporate lawyer Walter G. D. Reed as the firm’s new managing partner.

News
Bird & Bird launches legal glossary
INTERNATIONAL LAW firm Bird & Bird has unveiled a new online glossary to allow its lawyers to share knowledge of the latest legal terminology and trends.

News
Law Society and LSC reach civil legal aid agreement
THE LAW Society has agreed to drop judicial review proceedings against the Legal Services Commission (LSC) and the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) over an earlier judgment of the Court of Appeal in relation to the civil legal aid contract.

News
Slaughters completes management shake-up
INTERNATIONAL LAW firm Slaughter and May has announced the election of eight practice stream heads, following the election of Chris Saul as senior partner earlier in 2008.

Feature
Moving on – lateral thinking for lateral hires
Lawyers are increasingly recognising that they are occupationally mobile, even once they have reached the goal of becoming partner.

Special
Q&A: Jonathan White
In 2003 Ogier merged with Cayman Islands firm Boxalls. A wave of consolidation and expansion followed in the offshore legal and fiduciary world; a trend that shows no sign of slowing. In February 2007 a second union followed with British Virgin Islands-based WSmiths. Jonathan White, Group Chairman since 2000, tells Richard Brent the factors that make merger a successful part of a firm’s growth strategy.

Feature
Chinese choices
In September 2007 Lovells officially launched the Sino-Global Legal Alliance (SGLA), a groundbreaking association comprised of Lovells and nine leading regional Chinese law firms.

Feature
Comment: A mould for modern practice
Trying to pin down exactly how law firms will react to the alternative business structure (ABS) is a bit like trying to nail jelly to the wall: the theory seems reasonable but in practice it’s nearly impossible.

News
Herbert Smith names managing partner
HERBERT SMITH has appointed corporate partner David Willis to the newly-created role of managing partner following a firm-wide management review.

News
Campaigners slam ‘sexism’ in the City
VISITS TO strip clubs with clients and business colleagues are becoming an “increasingly normal” aspect of life at firms in the City of London, according to a new report.

News
Counsel call for alternative billing
ALTERNATIVE BILLING methods is the best initiative law firms could implement to improve relationships with their clients’ legal departments, according to a new survey.

News
K&L Gates secures second China base
KIRKPATRICK & LOCKHART Preston Gates Ellis LLP (K&L Gates) has opened an office in the Chinese city of Shanghai – its fourth in Asia and second in China.

Feature
Meetings of minds
When you decide to make a lateral hire, you have done the easy bit. Appointing the headhunter in the expectation of selecting from the cream of the crop is the fun bit.